Lightning (Group Read - March 2010)

[Jaice]

Please participate in the Lightning discussion here.

[Jackie]

Jason, I found the 'remind me' thingy in edit membership, so you can disregard my personal request.
I am SO excited to re-read this. I loved this novel. I read in in '85 or '86 and it remains in my fav list. I can hardly wait!
Excellent choice, Group!

[Carrie]

I am excited for this book as well. I'm pretty sure I've read it, and it's one of the few Koontz books I don't have to replace! I can't wait to be able to participate in the discussions about this one.

[Lynai]

Have re-read this for like 4 times already. But I would still love to read this again! :)

[Matt R.]

I am looking forward to the book as well!

[Jaice]

I'm glad this book is generating so much excitement! I'm enjoying it so far, though I am disappointed that I figured out the twist (which I confirmed with my aunt, who has read the book) in the very beginning (i.e., chapter 2). :-(

[[deleted user]]

I am excited about reading this one!!

[Nicoletta]

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "I'm glad this book is generating so much excitement! I'm enjoying it so far, though I am disappointed that I figured out the twist (which I confirmed with my aunt, who has read the book) in the ver..."

I HATEEE when that happens!

[Jaice]

Nicoletta wrote: "I HATEEE when that happens!"

Yes, it was unfortunate, but I still enjoyed the story quite a bit, despite predicting that aspect of it. I just wish Koontz hadn't dropped so many hints so early on. ***SPOILERS*** It sadened me that Laura had to lose Danny, who she loved so much, in order to have a life with Stefan. (I listened to the audiobook, so I may have misspelled one or more of the names.) I was impressed by the way that Koontz handeled time travel in this story, adding interesting details, such as always arriving 11 minutes after leaving when traveling through time and the effect time travel has on the local environment (i.e., the lightning and the vacuum). It is fairly common to propose that one can never travel into one's own past and can never travel to a time during which one currently exists, though it may not have been common at the time this book was written--I'm not sure. The Thelma character was a bit too over the top for me at times, somewhat getting on my nerves. Overall, I enjoyed the book and gave it 4/5 stars.

[Maciek]

Ca I start bashing the book now or do you guys need some time to prepare mentally ?;)

[Lori]

I thought you liked Lightning?

[Maciek]

I thought so too, but it just fell apart after the first half or so.

[Lori]

OH! I thought it was to dizzying, with all the back, and forth. But over all the story was good, so it gets 6 out of 10 stars.

[Maciek]

It suffers exactly from the same flaws as Watchers : characters are black and white, the story becomes sappy and overtly sentimental. But at least there is no sugary dog. But the bad thing is that there's no crazy monkey. :(

[Lori]

Hey now watch how you talk about Watchers. Send a curse your way. Sending more snow! hehehehehe

[Maciek]

Lol you can't send more snow here, you'd have to steal some from the Eskimos and that would be rude ! ;)

[Lori]

Take your butt to the Intensity topic.

The Eskimos will understand, they can spare it.:) And some hard winds to. hehehehehe

[Jackie]

Maciek, why do you waste your time reading Koontz if he sucks so bad? I'm not being facetious, just honestly interested. If I read a bad book by an author, it gives me pause, but two bad books is enough for me and I never read them again. It's a waste of time, too many books out there to waste on the crappy ones. Or are you a true optimist and just keep hoping for that the next one will be a one good one?

[Maciek]

Because he has written books that I enjoyed very much. also it's interesting to see how his style has developed etc. Besided, if you like an author you stay with him, no matter what ;)

[Jackie]

Not me. For example, Stephen King was fantastic a million years ago and I read everything he wrote. Since his accident, he's turned into a long-winded blowhard. I read 2 or 3 that sucked so bad, sticking forks in my eyes would have been more fun. I haven't read him since and I doubt he'll ever write something that'll chance my mind. Reading an author who used to be good isn't good enough for me. He's got to be good now too. And the added bonus is, everyone doesn't have to hear me bitch over and over. It does get tiresome.

[Tom]

I'm a die-hard SK fan from the beginning through UTD (with some exceptions of course), yet agree with you Jackie. I haven't looked, but it is my guess you have enough sense to not belong to the SK group, where you would likely be tempted to voice your negative opinions of SK.
Being bright enough to read what one likes - and leave those you do not care for to those who do - is a gift you have; apparently not all have that gift :)

[Jackie]

Tom, I still remember King as the gifted writer he was and I can still re-read the books I enjoyed. I don't think it'd be fair of me to join a group of an author I don't care for anymore, even if I adored him at one time.

[Tom]

I agree with you Jackie. I'm glad you have good memories of - and can enjoy re-reading - King's earlier work.

[Jackie]

Definitely have great memories of his early work. He really was the greatest horror writer for a long time. The Talisman, The Stand, Pet Semetary, The Shining, Salem's Lot are books that remain in my favorite list and they'll stay there too.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jackie, this has been kinda fun to see you so fiesty ;-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Lori wrote: " OH! I thought it was to dizzying, with all the back, and forth. But over all the story was good, so it gets 6 out of 10 stars."

So what's the rating on Goodreads 5 star system?

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I've got Lightning on Audiobook CD waiting for me at the library - hope I can get started on it soon :-)

[Maciek]

Jackie wrote: "Not me. For example, Stephen King was fantastic a million years ago and I read everything he wrote. Since his accident, he's turned into a long-winded blowhard. I read 2 or 3 that sucked so bad, sticking forks in my eyes would have been more fun. I haven't read him since and I doubt he'll ever write something that'll chance my mind. Reading an author who used to be good isn't good enough for me. He's got to be good now too. And the added bonus is, everyone doesn't have to hear me bitch over and over. It does get tiresome."

What titles do you mean ? If I recall correctly the accident took place in 1999, the year where my favorite Hearts in Atlantis was published. Since then several good titles (IMHO) came out: Dreamcatcher, Black House, Cell, Lisey's Story and Duma key. I've liked all of them.
I'm a huge King head though, I like almost all of his books and he's been extremely consistent in putting out quality novels.

Tom wrote: "I haven't looked, but it is my guess you have enough sense to not belong to the SK group, where you would likely be tempted to voice your negative opinions of SK.

I agree with Tom. If you don't echo the voice of the majority it's best to shut up. This is the internet after all.

[Jackie]

Black House was the worst book I ever read. Especially since it was a 'sequel' to one of the greatest books ever, The Talisman. I didn't like Dreamcatcher either. SK is better than those books. Or was.
My mistake, even before the accident, he started sucking then; Insomnia, UGH, I could have killed my sister for recommending it to me.

As far as Cell, Lisey or Duma, I won't even waste my time.

[Kathy]

Maciek wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Not me. For example, Stephen King was fantastic a million years ago and I read everything he wrote. Since his accident, he's turned into a long-winded blowhard. I read 2 or 3 that su..."

I totally agree, Maciek! I love him...then and NOW!

[Jackie]

Maciek wrote: If you don't echo the voice of the majority it's best to shut up. This is the internet after all.
Now that's a laugh!

[Maciek]

Jackie wrote: "Black House was the worst book I ever read. Especially since it was a 'sequel' to one of the greatest books ever, The Talisman. I didn't like Dreamcatcher either. SK is better than those books. ..."

Lol I loved Insomnia. I have to re-read it. It's been too long.

Black House I don't remember much, but I remember that I enjoyed it. Dreamcatcher was awesome, the shitting weasels aliens and stuff. It reminded me of IT because of the fact that a group of boys had to stand against the evil.

Cell was a great apocalyptic book, I've read it in two days. Lisey's Story was good, but I prefer Duma Key. it's really polished and well written.

Jackie wrote: "Maciek wrote: If you don't echo the voice of the majority it's best to shut up. This is the internet after all.
Now that's a laugh! "

Is it ? Don't succumb to temptation of writing what other people won't like to read. It's one of the CWS (Cardinal Web Sins). LOL

[Jackie]

Maciek,
OK, the shit weasels were pretty damn funny/scary. LOL
Black House was just so long winded and pointless in the begining that it set the tone for me. It was about as far away from The Talisman as you can get without actually breaking complete ties.
I liked IT, until the end, that stupid spider thing because our minds can't comprehend it. I felt that was a cheat. But overall, I enjoyed the ride.
Insomnia was too long winded. I was screaming in my head 'Get to the point!'. I'm used to SK claiming my attention right away and holding it until the very last word. Maybe I'm nostalgic for the old King.

Don't succumb to temptation of writing what other people won't like to read
I'm a firm believer in being able to voice your opinion whether it's popular or not. I have never found a site or discussion where everyone agrees on the topic on the internet, ever.

Are there more CWS? I'll need to know them so I can break them. (Just kidding)

[Jaice]

Maciek wrote: "...But the bad thing is that there's no crazy monkey."

I thought it was a baboon? ;-)

[Jaice]

Maciek wrote: "...Don't succumb to temptation of writing what other people won't like to read. It's one of the CWS (Cardinal Web Sins). LOL"

It's like that cartoon you posted before. :-D

[Maciek]

Jackie wrote: "Maciek,
OK, the shit weasels were pretty damn funny/scary. LOL
Black House was just so long winded and pointless in the begining that it set the tone for me. It was about as far away from The Talisman as you can get without actually breaking complete ties. "

I haven't read The Talisman, so I don't know if it ties or not. I've read it as a stand-alone and remember liking it.

Jackie wrote: "I liked IT, until the end, that stupid spider thing because our minds can't comprehend it. I felt that was a cheat. But overall, I enjoyed the ride.

I have exactly the same fellings ! I remember being disappointed with the ending, though I loved the rest of the book.

Jackie wrote: "Insomnia was too long winded. I was screaming in my head 'Get to the point!'. I'm used to SK claiming my attention right away and holding it until the very last word. Maybe I'm nostalgic for the old King.

I have to refresh my memory on that one, but It was quite good. I've read the prologue recently and it really made me want to read it all again...but it was about 3 AM. ;)

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "Maciek wrote: "...But the bad thing is that there's no crazy monkey."

I thought it was a baboon? ;-)"

It was a mutated baboon, but I got tired of writing that so I'll just refer to the wicked creature as "monkey" by now. That should do the trick. ;)

[Tom]

Maciek wrote: "Is it ? Don't succumb to temptation of writing what other people won't like to read. It's one of the CWS (Cardinal Web Sins). LOL
..."

ROTFLMAO

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Real interesting dialogue going on here :-) Anybody out there currently reading Lightning?

[Kathy]

Dustin wrote: "Real interesting dialogue going on here :-) Anybody out there currently reading Lightning?"

I will be soon. Isn't it the book for March??

[Jackie]

I'm waiting til the first of March.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Yep. March - that's only one week away! I'm gonna try and get it read early in the month :-)Go ahead and continue with the banter :-)

[Tom]

Dustin wrote: "Real interesting dialogue going on here :-) Anybody out there currently reading Lightning?"

I am re-reading Lightning, but a couple others are getting more attention.
Just finished Horns last night, started Straub's latest, plus a couple others.

[Kathy]

Tom wrote: "Dustin wrote: "Real interesting dialogue going on here :-) Anybody out there currently reading Lightning?"

I am re-reading Lightning, but a couple others are getting more attention.
Just finish..."

Horns was amazing! What did you think? I'm looking forward to reading Lightning! I'm reading Gunpowder, by Joe Hill now. :)

[Tom]

YAYYY for Gunpowder!
I read that this past week.
Just finished Horns last night; see my words on it in the Joe Hill & Horn threads I think in the SK and HA groups.

[Jackie]

Who's the author on Horns, it's vaguely familiar but I can't quite get it. The search for Horns turns up too many books.

[Tom]

Jackie wrote: "Who's the author on Horns, it's vaguely familiar but I can't quite get it. The search for Horns turns up too many books."

Sometimes it's weird, searching a title.
The author is Joe Hill

[Jackie]

Thanks Tom. I want to read Heart-Shaped Box and Horns one of these days.

[Tom]

Jackie wrote: "Thanks Tom. I want to read Heart-Shaped Box and Horns one of these days. "

Highly recommended.

[Kathy]

Tom wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Thanks Tom. I want to read Heart-Shaped Box and Horns one of these days. "

Highly recommended."

I second that!

[Jaice]

Rachel wrote: "Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "I'm glad this book is generating so much excitement! I'm enjoying it so far, though I am disappointed that I figured out the twist (which I confirmed with my aunt, who ha..."

***SPOILER*** Hmmm. Laura and Chris seemed very surprised and made a big deal of it when they discovered he was from the past, specifically the Nazi era, which suggests that it was also supposed to be a surprise to the audience.